Members of Delta Air Lines Inc. flight crew hug as they walk to board the new Boeing 777-200 LR airplane delivered to the airline Friday, Feb. 29, 2008 at Boeing Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The staffing cuts are intended to shave $550 million off annual operating costs. To save more money, the carrier will also cut domestic flights by 10% this year, which will result in grounding around 45 jets. Delta’s statement said nothing about the pending merger with Northwest Airlines. President Ed Bastian said the firm was open to consolidation, but that it had to be “the right deal.”